Kansas City’s Pennway Point update: Ice cream, Mexican food and a new timeline

Pennway Point, a redevelopment project west of Union Station, is mostly known for one thing: the 150-foot Ferris wheel that started turning late last year .

But construction at the 6-acre entertainment district is ongoing. On Friday, the firm behind Pennway Point, 3D Development, issued an update on plans for the site.

The original timeline for several of the project’s components has been pushed back due to “encountering more underground infrastructure work than anticipated on this historic 120-year-old construction materials site,” according to a release from 3D Development.

That means that several businesses and attractions are now likely to open in early 2025, instead of this year, as previously planned.

Among the first concepts to open will be a Palacana location. The locally owned Mexican ice cream shop was founded nearby in the West Side neighborhood and serves fruit cocktails, churros, elotes and smoothies. Next door to Palacana’s location at Pennway Point will be a new concept called Urbana Sur by Palacana, which will serve tacos, tequilas and mezcals in a cantina setting.

“(Palacana’s) grand opening is slated for early 2025 with potential pop ups in late 2024,” 3D Development said.

Other attractions , like sand volleyball courts, a Viennese sausage stand from Nicholas Grünauer and a barbecue smokehouse from Chef J, are now on track to debut sometime in early 2025 as well. The Lumi Neon Alley, an outdoor museum of local vintage neon lights, recently installed two more signs in the walkable alley between buildings, according to the release. There will eventually be 80 signs on display .

3D Development is also the firm behind the redevelopment of the former Kansas City Star building at 1729 Grand Blvd. That project is also running behind schedule, though 3D Development recently announced a new tenant, a game bar called Ricochet.